Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

The thread is up and the first inaugural session of the Great Layering Challenge is now officially OPEN!

Please add you discoveries and suggestions / combos to the new thread.

I am hoping that this thread can be made a sticky so that it remains visible. Votes for future perfumes and possible adjustments should be posted here.

Zibeline and courmarin: your combos sound great! Please add them to the new thread.

To make this challenge even more worthwhile (like it isn't exciting enough already ), I will update at the end of the thread with a post containing all of the 'successful' crazy combos, so that future fledgling layering fiends (and layering virgins) will have a resource of actual combinations that 'work'. Which will hopefully inspire them to continue the cause and create some of their own...

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Thanks Tigrushka!

OK, all my crazy layering fiends and those of you still to experience the extreme joy of layering, the time is swiftly approaching when we will need to pick 2 - 4 perfumes with dominate animalic notes with which to start experimenting!!!

So, below are some initial suggestions for layering candidates. Please place your votes for the 4 that you would like to explore in the next month:

Guerlain: Jicky - great choice but I fear that it is so fleeting, that it may not may a measurable impression in many combos. I would be interested to see how much effect it actually did have but fear there may be much disappointment. It may be more effective with other lighter fruits, florals and soft woods.Lutens: Daim Blond - I don't find this as representative of animalic as much as other scents available to choose from and feel it may be a little to similar ALFilm Noir to do both. Also it is so distinctive, like Shalimar, that there may be blending issues also.Lutens: Chergui - have you sampled By Dolce & Gabbana Woman yet?Ava Luxe Film Noir -

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Originally Posted by moondeva

(You big chicken! )

OK, just my $0.02 on your choices, for what it's worth:

Guerlain: Jicky - great choice but I fear that it is so fleeting, that it may not may a measurable impression in many combos. I would be interested to see how much effect it actually did have but fear there may be much disappointment. It may be more effective with other lighter fruits, florals and soft woods.Lutens: Daim Blond - I don't find this as representative of animalic as much as other scents available to choose from and feel it may be a little to similar ALFilm Noir to do both. Also it is so distinctive, like Shalimar, that there may be blending issues also.Lutens: Chergui - have you sampled By Dolce & Gabbana Woman yet?Ava Luxe Film Noir -

Waahaah Chicken, a big Chicken on fleeting Jicky!!

But, a stubborn chicken as well. I will pour half a bottle of pure Jicky extrait on me just to layer it with whatever.
Hmm, Daim Blond similar to Film Noir: right, I will go layer those. See what happens. Daim Noir or Film Blond?
*hugging Chergui*....yes, tested By and said bye-bye.

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Originally Posted by Riannon

Waahaah Chicken, a big Chicken on fleeting Jicky!!

But, a stubborn chicken as well. I will pour half a bottle of pure Jicky extrait on me just to layer it with whatever.
Hmm, Daim Blond similar to Film Noir: right, I will go layer those. See what happens. Daim Noir or Film Blond?
*hugging Chergui*....yes, tested By and said bye-bye.

Awww, you're so cute and I've grown accustomed to you now, so maybe you won't make lunch if you keep earning your keep... Keep those golden (layering) eggs coming and I'll hold off on the KFC (11 herbs & spices) batter.

By the way, have you met anything other than a stubborn chicken?? They even give oxen a run for their money...

Too bad the Nemat web site requires a $40 minimum purchase, or I'd blind-buy some of that, too. If you start pulling from the full list, I have Tabac Blond, Daim Blond, Jicky (sans chicken ;-), Tabu, a little Cuir de Russie, and could buy Jovan Musk easily.

As a side note, while I agree that Daim Blond is not ideal for blending, I accidentally sprayed over semi-washed-off Chanel 19 edt once, and WOW -- I got Daim Blond with chypre/leather basenotes and surprising staying power Tough to duplicate, though...

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Originally Posted by coumarin

Hi Moondeva! I vote for Jolie Madame.
Too bad the Nemat web site requires a $40 minimum purchase, or I'd blind-buy some of that, too. If you start pulling from the full list, I have Tabac Blond, Daim Blond, Jicky (sans chicken ;-), Tabu, a little Cuir de Russie, and could buy Jovan Musk easily.[...]

Thanks for joining in courmarin! Now, that it's less of a novelty I am a little scared that attendance / participation will drop off.

Thanks also to having so many options to choose from! ::Notes extra votes for Jicky (sans le coq), Jolie Madame and Daim Blond::

Originally Posted by coumarin

[...]As a side note, while I agree that Daim Blond is not ideal for blending, I accidentally sprayed over semi-washed-off Chanel 19 edt once, and WOW -- I got Daim Blond with chypre/leather basenotes and surprising staying power Tough to duplicate, though...

Not so hard for the crazeee layering laideeee! :bounce:

I recommend you try a small dab / spritz of Ava Luxe Chypre Noir / Dark Chypre under your usual application of Serge Lutens Daim Blond. You will get a similar effect without the complex floral top present in the Chanel No.19.

Another complimentary choice would be Ava Luxe Film Noir which happens to have a very similar 'suede' leather character as the Serge Lutens Daim Blond but is deeper, darker and has none of the sweet apricot kernel or hawthorn top & heart notes.

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Just got back from a week in the North Carolina mountains almost ENTIRELY devoted to Ava Luxe. Great find!

Have ordered Rasa x 4 and hope it makes it here in time for this second challenge. Don't want to wear out Tabu!!

In my mind Kingdom is animalic 'cause of that sweaty "private parts" note that offends so many.

Still pondering for the Sniff'n'Speak this saturday - animals all over the place!!

Welcome back, baby! We sure did miss you!!!

If you think the current Rasa is carnal / animalic - you need to ask Serena sweetly for a sample of her old / intense / extreme version! I plan to try to use a little of my sample to layered with Tabu! I am also looking forward to having some extra cash so that I can buy a full bottle of this version in the parfum.

I love that we have similar tastes in the more potent / animalic side of perfumes, Taolady! You are one of my favourite sweet scent twins from across the globe. {{HUGZ}}

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Originally Posted by moondeva

Welcome back, baby! We sure did miss you!!!

If you think the current Rasa is carnal / animalic - you need to ask Serena sweetly for a sample of her old / intense / extreme version! I plan to try to use a little of my sample to layered with Tabu! I am also looking forward to having some extra cash so that I can buy a full bottle of this version in the parfum.

I love that we have similar tastes in the more potent / animalic side of perfumes, Taolady! You are one of my favourite sweet scent twins from across the globe. {{HUGZ}}

Missed all you guys too - and thanks for the welcome home!

Had already ordered when I got your note about the old/intense/extreme but this is a RULLY good excuse for ordering White Lilac and Film Noire!! (heh heh heh)

"The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering."Lao Tze

The thought of layering an Amouage scent is almost perverse Exactly the reason why I would like to try it.Bad chicken!!

I am, sadly, currently a very cash strapped lioness so have not had the pleasure of sampling / experiencing any of the Amouage offerings, nor the Creed Ambre Cannelle, or the Serge Lutens Cuir Mauresque (and believe me , I really want to)...*sob*

But that won't stop me offering a few 'safe' / 'educated' suggestions based upon impressions gathered from notes, scent descriptions and reviews!

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Last (heavy breathing) gasp of the January Tabu/Samsara challenge (I TRY to live one day at a time!!) with Creed Fleurs de Bulgarie and my New Best Friend Tabu! The rosy musc of FdeB goes real good with the spices and flowers of Tabu. They are a happy couple! :bounce:

Thanks to Moondeva for introducing me to MNBF and for piloting this month long - er, um - "project". (Hate to use that word 'cause it sounds so industrial.

I learned a LOT and found some great new combos. Am looking forward to all the February animals!!

"The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering."Lao Tze

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

(Hope I'm in the right place !! )

First day of the animals. Started with Habanita on wrists and arms - flew downstairs to the PILE of samples sent by a dear Dragon and lavished on much-anticipated Tam Dao between boobs and on chest and behind ears.

Friends forever!! The smoky myrrh and leather and roses of Habanita (now drying down into a refined vanilla) is a perfect companion for the sophisticated sandalwood of Tam Dao.

Lessee- the questions: Did it work as I had expected? Yup! Were any notes dominant? Not really - Tam Dao is pretty straightforward and Habanita is so beautifully blended (IMNSHO) and the image of a soignee gentleman in his "Smoking" lounging in a wing chair of well oiled ancient leather and smoking a private blend is GREAT for this chill rainy day at the beach! Would I do it again? Am thinking about it. Both are samples......

"The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering."Lao Tze

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

On me, L'Antimatiere dries down to a comforting wool and musk scent with the faintest hint of refreshing mint, or maybe linen pressed with a mint-infused laundry spray. The only animalic option in Moondeva's guidelines that I thought might match L'Antimatiere without overwhelming it was the marvelously subtle Daim Blond, featuring notes of suede, apricot and iris.

I had applied L'Antimatiere first and allowed time for it to settle in. A light spritz of Daim Blond, and the apricot/suede notes clearly dominated. The a strange thing happened: DB seemed to vanish for a moment, as the famously elusive LA took over. Only then did the two frags seem to truly meld, with DM's iris note sharing the airier space in the composition with L'A's minty pressed linen accord, as the suede note took on a faintly wooly hue, pushing DB's apricot back from center stage to a supporting role.

How did I like it? I did! I have yet to wear DB in hot humid weather, but I can imagine the apricot getting a bit over aggressive, and L'A could be the perfect antidote in that case. the combination is probably too subtle and close to the skin to get noticed much, but I would definitely wear it again.

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

This is a repeat of other posts today. (Lazy? Moi?)
First off - had to restrain self from diving into wonderful trove of samples from the ever-generous TWolf.
THEN - had to start out with Lauder's pretty Pleasures - to offset the grumpiness caused by the fact I couldn't find my Habanita sample for today's SnS.
THEN, of course, found the Habanita. Et voila - serendipitous layering!!

Since Pleasures (a light floral) is not as intense as many Lauders, and Habanita - with her bold blend of tobacco and leather (and myrrh and smoked roses) - doesn't take a back seat for ANYONE ....this is a most felicitous combination!

Did I like it? Absolutely! The Pleasures of the Lady from Havana are many! Did it work out as expected?Didn't really have any expectations - just held my breath and hoped!! Would I do it again? Absolutely! What notes predominated? None - smoke and leather and flowers are coexisting happily. Did it elicit compliments/comments? Will report.

"The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering."Lao Tze

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Samsara edt + Shalimar edt

Did you like it? You bet!Do you think it works? Absolutely. Guerlain has the right notes and the quality of both shine through the entire thing and you can actually see that both scents compliment each other in a very uniform and steady composition. A surprise.Wich notes dominated in the blend?
At first , the bergamot dominated the whole thing wich was a bit surprising, but it got less loud with samsara’s top notes. The mid notes are all samsara, and the saldalwood appears to come forward faster here to make room for the vanilla to take over the base of it, but it’s not as sweet as if shalimar were alone, and the vanilla remains on a leash, finally, the sandalwood overtakes the vanilla in an unexpected turn of events, and the composition closes with a very nice goodbye. You just have to smell the very end, it’s very very pretty.Would you wear It again? I think I just might. They really go well together.Score? 4,5 ; this combo is very nice, but I prefer the extremes of the scents by themselves.

Did you like it? Yes, but somehow, samsara’s longevity got cut by half!Do you think it works? KindaWich notes dominated in the blend?
Stangely enough, samsara got its logevity cut by half , wich was the most strange find, the rest of the notes were very easy to pick up: the orange blossom, orange fruits, rose and jasmine, are easily identifiable, as well as the patchouli and sandalwood of course, given that both scents have sandalwood bases. The note that completely drowned was the lily of the valley.Would you wear it again? I don’t think so, each scent is better by itself.specially samsara, wich seemed to be scared of yardley’s scent.Score: 3,5

Samsara edt + Dior’s Eau Sauvage

Did you like it? Yes I didDo you think it works? Yes I think it works.Wich notes dominated in the blend?
Well, the citrus notes in ES totally dominated the top of the blend and I liked that a lot, I’m not saying that samsara’s top notes are bad, but they were very very shy and the combo made them take a back seat, wich made the blend seem more maculine.
The mid sort of remided me of samsara shine, wich I tend to think of it as a citrusy version of samsara. Again, the longevity was cut short by a long time, why is that?...samsara’s basenotes dominated all the basenotes and I loved it because samsara has some of the best creamy sandalwoods. The midnotes werenot really attractive and there was some stinkeroo trying to come out and play but it got a bit restrained. Would you wear it again? Nope, I already have samsara shine.Score: 4

Samsara edt + Dior HommeDid you like it? NODo you think it works? Not for me, maybe it does for the caramel lovers.Wich notes dominated in the blend?
The scent was very strong and had a huge sillage. Dior homme triplicated samsara’s strenght and DH never smelled sweeter than this. The most dominant note in the entire thing was a very syrupy sweet caramel that was very annoying to me. It lasts forever.almost headache inducing. Samsara got lost in the orris candy gigerbread and molasses house of the bad witch (wich was a man in drag it seems). Would you wear it again? No.Score: 1

Samsara edt + Dior’s Dolce Vita edtDid you like it? Yes.Do you think it works? Yeah in a sense it does.Wich notes dominated the blend?
The scent got a very masculine feel from the get-go wich was strange given that both have very feminine tops, the fresh notes came together in both scents to create a very sharp fresh top and the mid notes were very masculine as well, woods and even fourgere at times. The sweetness of both scents got somewhat dissipated and the base was very much sandalwood ambery with clean-honey bits that were not too sweet. It felt like a new scent altogether with both samsara and dolcevita’s insprations.Would you wear it again? YesScore: 3,5; very nice but not breathtaking, original: yes.

Samsara edt + Chanel’s Coco edtDid you like it? Yes!Do you think it works? YesWich notes dominated in the blend?
The top got a very intense boozy top a-la-fendi donna, only this one smelled way better. Very fresh and very attractive, feminine and musky, this scent captured my attention pretty fast. Strong sillage and better longevity, coco became even prettier (I mean by this that coco became less of a moddy dame), less misterious, and more fun. The mid and base notes were all lineal but very coco-oriented, with just a bit of samsara at the end. Did I smell lemons in between? Surprising.Would you wear it again? MaybeScore: 4 ; it managed to smell very elegant, but lacked the density and lacquered red-n’black of coco.still, very attractive, it’s a must try!

Samsara edt + Coco Mademoiselle EDT

Did you like it? YesDo you think it works? Honestly, no. Because most of it came from coco mademoiselle.Wich notes dominated the blend?
All of the notes in coco mademoiselle dominated the entire blend, there was a fruity turn at mid-notes wich was nice and pretty and the patchouli ate the entire base.Would you wear it again? NopeScore: 3; I already have coco mademoiselle in EDP! It smelled very nice still.

Samsara edt + Jaďpur Homme edt

Did you like it? YesDo you think it works? Yes it does workWich notes dominated the blend?
Creamy Vanilla dominated the blend, there ws a certain “old expensive velvet couch” feel to it that was very comfortable, it reminded me of older times, it smelled amazing. It felt like a perfect combo of vanilla and woods. Great sillage. You have to try it. Would you wear it again? YesScore: 5. it was really, really nice.

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Wow! Thank you castorpollux for a bounteous collection of great crazy combos!!

They all sound amazing. Funnily enough I think Riannon also tried the Samsara + Shalimar combo but did not enjoy it. Just shows how personal chemistry can have such a strong influence upon our likes and dislikes with scents.

I am positively drooling over the Samsara + Jaipur Homme combo! It sounds delicious...and it just so happens that I have both the ingredients available!

Please keep your combos and reviews coming that are fascinating to read.

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Just slid in to mention that I have Serge Lutens Borneo 1834 layered with my all time favorite scent Terre d' Hermes and it's a powerful mix that blends beautifully. If this has been done before, let me say cheers and bravo.

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Originally Posted by fredricktoo

Just slid in to mention that I have Serge Lutens Borneo 1834 layered with my all time favorite scent Terre d' Hermes and it's a powerful mix that blends beautifully. If this has been done before, let me say cheers and bravo.

OMG! Fredericktoo!!! Has the layering bug finally bitten you too??!!

Yay! Then my efforts were not in vain...

And that is an absolutely delicious sounding combo! Sadly, I have not had the pleasure of experiencing either scent, but I am imaging a very soft cosy woody patchouli, almost gourmand but not quite, with a soft citrus opening / top note. I am drooling at the thought of it...

Could you describe it for me? Thank you. Please keep the crazy combos coming...
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Originally Posted by Zibeline

I've still been wearing the Femme-Nu EDP combo...still love it

I have still to try this. It does sound lovely, perfect for a cold grey wintery day. Also very Classic. Thank you for sharing this combo with us Zibeline, it sounds like a definite keeper! Do you have the YSL NU EDT? I think that would make a good combo with the Rochas Femme as well. I am also thinking that both of the YSL NUs would be interesting layered with Joop! Femme also...

Last edited by moondeva; 18th March 2007 at 04:07 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Originally Posted by moondeva

OMG! Fredericktoo!!! Has the layering bug finally bitten you too??!!

Yay! Then my efforts were not in vain...

And that is an absolutely delicious sounding combo! Sadly, I have not had the pleasure of experiencing either scent, but I am imaging a very soft cosy woody patchouli, almost gourmand but not quite, with a soft citrus opening / top note. I am drooling at the thought of it...

Could you describe it for me? Thank you. Please keep the crazy combos coming...
--------------------------------------

I have still to try this. It does sound lovely, perfect for a cold grey wintery day. Also very Classic. Thank you for sharing this combo with us Zibeline, it sounds like a definite keeper! Do you have the YSL NU EDT? I think that would make a good combo with the Rochas Femme as well. I am also thinking that both of the YSL NUs would be interesting layered with Joop! Femme also...

Borneo 1834 starts out as unsweetened chocolate and a lot of it. Big sillage, great longevity. It smells like you're at an 1834 chocolate plantation on Borneo and you've been given several of the finest pods to sniff after they've been ground releasing their aromas.
Terre d' Hermes is a lot of citrus and dirt something that could easily be on the other side of the path. A citrus grove of grapefruit and oranges and a platter of sliced fruit is given to you by the plantation owner.
It's a day at the plantation in 1834 Borneo....

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Moondeva, gotta share this one. It's so weird. I have a large bottle of Chanel 5 that I got because it's supposed to be the no. 1 frag. I was stupid, but I have never really liked it so I decided to try it one more time before I gave it away. Still didn't like it. Anyway I had just had a bath so I didn't want to do it again and had to run uptown so I sprayed some Prada on to sort of counteract the no.5 and I never received so many compliments in my life on how I smelled. People actually went on and on. I usually don't get compliments very often. Who would have thunkit?

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Originally Posted by TDDanae

Moondeva, gotta share this one. It's so weird. I have a large bottle of Chanel 5 that I got because it's supposed to be the no. 1 frag. I was stupid, but I have never really liked it so I decided to try it one more time before I gave it away. Still didn't like it. Anyway I had just had a bath so I didn't want to do it again and had to run uptown so I sprayed some Prada on to sort of counteract the no.5 and I never received so many compliments in my life on how I smelled. People actually went on and on. I usually don't get compliments very often. Who would have thunkit?

Cool! Thank you so much for sharing this combo with me, TDDanae! I, like yourself, have a huge bottle of this, chiefly because it is a classic but I find it impossible to wear. It's those pesky Chanel odd numbered molecule aldehydes I think. They always wage war with my chemistry.

My only question is: Did you actually like the way the combo smelled on your skin? Yes, I like to smell amazing to others and to receive compliments but I'd still reject a scent if it didn't smell good to me or gel with my perception of me. So did you love the combo on you?

This is worth a try I think. I don't do too well with Prada usually but I do have a few woody amber / patchouli alternatives.

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

To be perfectly honest, I would not buy another bottle of Chanel 5, however considering my compliments, I will keep it around to layer with other things with a little more base to them. It really did smell rather nice so I would probably use one fourth of no. 5 to a wood based scent. Please don't get the idea I am being arrogant or think I know more than the perfumers. I just know what I like and what works with my skin chemistry

Re: The Great Layering Challenge (Outline)

Maybe fragrances with woods help to counteract the aldehydes - especially the floral ones?

I bought Nocturnes de Caron (blind buy) & the aldehydes made it into a single note overpowering & really stinky floral. But, when I use a small spray of Nocturnes & 2 sprays of Kenneth Cole New York (citrus, spices & woods) it changes into a moderate sillage fragrance. It's not brilliant but is wearable & I haven't wasted my money.

Now, that I've read all these posts about layering different fragrances together , I going to try some other scents with my Nocturnes & see if I can improve on the Nocturnes-Kenneth Cole combo!

If anyone has any suggestions on different combos to try...please post them.